Bringing

power to life.

GUIDE TO RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD)

PROTECTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV)
CHARGING INSTALLATIONS

March 2022
ABOUT BEAMA
BEAMA is the long established and respected trade association for the electrotechnical sector.
The association has a strong track record in the development and implementation of standards to
promote safety and product performance for the benefit of manufacturers and their customers.
This guide is intended as a practical guide for designers, specifiers and installers to enable them to
specify Residual Current Device (RCD) Protection of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging installations.
This Guide has been produced by BEAMA’s Building Electrical Systems Sector operating under the
guidance and authority of BEAMA, supported by specialist central services for guidance on UK
Internal Market, European Single Market, Quality Assurance, Legal and Health & Safety matters.
BEAMA’s Building Electrical Systems Sector comprises of major UK manufacturing companies.

Details of other BEAMA Guides can be found on the BEAMA website www.beama.org.uk

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BEAMA would like to thank BSI, CENELEC and IEC for allowing references to their standards.

DISCLAIMER
This publication is subject to the copyright of BEAMA Ltd.
While the information herein has been compiled in good faith,
no warranty is given or should be implied for its use and BEAMA
hereby disclaims any liability that may arise from its use to the
fullest extent permitted under applicable law.

© BEAMA Ltd 2022

Copyright and all other intellectual property rights in this
document are the property of BEAMA Ltd. Any party wishing
to copy, reproduce or transmit this document or the
information contained within it in any form, whether paper,
electronic or otherwise should contact BEAMA Ltd to
seek permission to do so.
COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS GUIDE
COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THE
PREPARATION OF THIS GUIDE
ABB Ltd
Tower Court; Courtaulds Way
Foleshill Enterprise Park
Coventry, West Midland,s CV6 5NX
Tel: +44 (0) 2476 368 500
https://new.abb.com/uk
Contactum Limited
Victoria House, 2 Blackmoor Lane,
Croxley Green Business Park,
Watford, WD18 8GA
Tel: 0208 208 7400
enquiries@contactum.co.uk
Eaton Electric Limited
252 Bath Road, Slough,
Berkshire SL1 4DX
Tel: +44 (0) 8700 545 333
Email: ukcommorders@eaton.com
www.eaton.com/uk
GreenBrook Electrical
62 West Road, Harlow,
Esssex CM20 2BG
Tel + 44 (0) 1279 772772
www.greenbrook.co.uk
Hager Ltd
Hortonwood 50, Telford,
Shropshire TF1 7FT
Tel: +44 (0)1952 675 689
Email: Technical@hager.co.uk
www.hager.co.uk
Legrand Electric Ltd
Great King Street North,
Birmingham B19 2LF
Tel: +44 (0) 345 605 4333
Email: legrand.sales@legrand.co.uk
www.legrand.co.uk
Lewden
Unit 4, Bradbury Drive
Springwood Industrial Estate
Braintree, Essex, CM7 2SD
Tel: +44 01376 336200
sales@lewden.co.uk
Luceco plc
Luceco Distribution Centre,
Stafford Park 1, Telford,
Shropshire, TF3 3BD
Tel: +44 (0)1952 238 100
uk_sales@luceco.com
Schneider Electric Ltd
Sta ord Park 5, Telford, Shropshire TF3 3BL
Tel: +44 (0) 1952 290029
Fax: +44 (0) 1952 292238
www.schneider-electric.co.uk
Electrium Sales Ltd (a Siemens Company)
Walkmill Lane, Bridgetown
Cannock, WS11 0XE
Tel: +44 (0) 1543 455000
Email: info@electrium.co.uk
www.electrium.co.uk
Timeguard Ltd
Victory Park, 400 Edgware Road
London NW2 6ND
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8450 0515
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8450 0635
Email: helpline@timeguard.com
www.timeguard.com
Western Automation R&D
2 Atreus Place, Poolboy, Ballinalsoe,
Co. Galway, Ireland H53 TD 78
Tel: +353 (0) 90 9643359
Fax: +353 (0) 90 9643094
Email: info@westernautomation.com
www.westernautomation.com
CONTENTS

Introduction 5

Abbreviations and Definitions 5

1. RCD selection 6

2. Effects of DC fault currents on RCDs 7

3. RDC-DDs 8

3.1. RDC-MDs 8

3.2. RDC-PDs 11

4. RDC-DD testing 12

5. RCD protection for Electric Vehicle wireless power transfer 13

8
 INTRODUCTION

With the increased uptake of electric vehicles, installers of EV charging circuits are faced
with new requirements/products for the protection of such circuits. This guide covers
the various options/products for RCD protection of EV charging circuits.
The general requirements of BS 7671, IET Wiring Regulations, apply however, the
particular requirements detailed in Section 722 of BS 7671 supplement or modify the
general requirements contained in other parts of BS 7671.

ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

Residual Direct Current Detecting Device (RDC-DD)

Detection device having at least the functionality of detection and evaluation
of 6 mA DC residual currents and switching of the monitored circuit

Residual Direct Current Monitoring Device (RDC-MD)

Monitoring device capable of 6 mA DC residual current detection and
mechanical switching

Residual Direct Current Protective Device (RDC-PD)

Protective device with integrated AC, pulsating DC and 6 mA DC detection,
evaluation and mechanical switching

RDC-M-unit
Unit that includes detection and evaluation of residual currents and
provides a mechanical operation to an RCD or circuit breaker to cause
switching of the monitored circuit

RDC-M-module
Module to detect residual direct currents and to provide a signal to
an electrically coupled switching device to cause switching of the
monitored circuit

05 BEAMA GUIDE RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD) PROTECTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING INSTALLATIONS
1. RCD SELECTION

BS 7671 Regulation 722.531.3.101 requires that, unless supplied by a circuit using

electrical separation, individual protection by an RCD of at least Type A shall be provided.
In addition, protection shall be provided against DC fault currents exceeding 6 mA.
Protection of DC fault currents exceeding 6 mA may be provided by the EV charging
equipment or a suitable device within the installation.
Where the EV charging equipment does not provide protection against DC fault
current exceeding 6 mA, options to comply with the regulation are by means of
installation of:

• Type B RCD; or
• Type A RCD, in conjunction with an RDC-DD; or
• Type F RCD, in conjunction with an RDC-DD.

RCDs shall conform to one of the following standards:

• BS EN (IEC) 61008-1
• BS EN (IEC) 61009-1
• BS EN (IEC) 60947-2
• BS EN (IEC) 62423

RDC-DDs shall conform to BS IEC 62955. An EN adoption of the IEC 62955 did not exist
at the time of publication of this guide.
An RCD Type A or Type F in conjunction with an RDC-DD can be arranged with the
RDC-DD inside the EV charging equipment and the Type A or Type F RCD upstream
in either the charging equipment or the installation e.g., at the distribution board
/ consumer unit. The location of the RCD may be dependent on the method of
installation and / or type of EV charger supply cable.

BEAMA GUIDE RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD) PROTECTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING INSTALLATIONS 06
 2. EFFECTS OF DC FAULT
CURRENTS ON RCDS

DC fault currents may affect the performance of some types of RCD:

• DC fault currents of any magnitude applied to a Type AC RCD may impair
operation of the RCD and in a worst-case situation render the RCD inoperable.
• DC fault currents exceeding 6 mA applied to a Type A may impair operation of
the RCD and in a worst-case situation render the RCD inoperable.
• DC fault currents exceeding 10 mA applied to a Type F RCD may impair operation
of the RCD and in a worst-case situation render the RCD inoperable.

Care must be taken where upstream ‘in-series’ RCDs are installed within
the installation.
A Type AC RCD should not be fitted upstream of a Type A, F or B RCD as the load
characteristics for which the Type A, F or B RCD has been selected could impair
operation of the Type AC RCD or in a worst-case situation render the RCD inoperable;
commonly termed as ‘RCD blinding’.
A Type A or Type F RCD should not be fitted upstream of a Type B RCD as the load
characteristics for which the Type B RCD has been selected could impair operation
of the Type A or Type F RCD or in a worst-case situation render the RCD inoperable;
commonly termed as ‘RCD blinding’.
NOTE: Type AC, A or F RCDs may, when specifically declared as a suitable arrangement
by the RCD manufacturer, be fitted upstream of a Type B RCD.

A Type AC RCD should not be installed

upstream of a Type A (without or with
an RCD-DD), Type F (without or with
an RDC-DD), or Type B as the load
characteristics that the Type A, Type F
or Type B has been selected for could
impair operation of the Type AC RCD. A Type F RCD should not be fitted
upstream of a Type B RCD as the load
characteristics that a Type B RCD has
been selected for could impair
operation of the Type F RCD.

A Type A RCD should not be fitted

Wh
upstream of a Type F or B RCD as the
load characteristics that a Type F or B
RCD has been selected for could impair
operation of the Type A RCD.

RCD Type A
S

RCD Type A RCD Type A RCD Type B Type F

FIGURE 13 EXAMPLE INSTALLATION ARRANGEMENT

Figure 1: Example installation arrangement

07 BEAMA GUIDE RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD) PROTECTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING INSTALLATIONS
3. RDC-DDs

RDC-DDs are for mode 3 charging of electric vehicles, they remove or initiate removal
of the supply to the EV in cases where a smooth residual direct current equal to or
above 6 mA is detected. As stated in Chapter 2 above, the applicable product standard
for RDC-DDs is BS IEC 62955.

BS IEC 62955 classifies RDC-DDs as:

• RDC-MD
• RDC-PD

NOTE: Requirements for the selection and erection of RCDs in the case of supplies
using DC vehicle connectors according to the BS EN (IEC) 62196 series are under
consideration.

3.1 RDC-MDs
RDC-MDs are further classified according to their construction:

3.1.1 RDC-MD with mechanical switching in one unit

RDC-MD capable of 6 mA DC residual current detection, evaluation and mechanical
switching in one unit.
For AC and pulsating DC protection, this RDC-MD is intended to be used with a Type A
RCD according to BS EN (IEC) 61008 or BS EN (IEC) 61009 or a Type F RCD according to
BS EN (IEC) 62423 with a residual operating current rating not exceeding 30 mA.

RDC-M

6 mA
6 mA DC
Current
Transformer (CT)

Figure 2: RDC-MD with mechanical switching in one unit

BEAMA GUIDE RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD) PROTECTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING INSTALLATIONS 08
 RDC-M-module

3.1.2 RDC-MD consisting of RDC-M-unit mechanically coupled to a separate

protective device
Current
RDC-M-unit capable of66mAmADCDC residual current detection and evaluation, mechanically
Transformer (CT)
coupled to a separate protective device:
a) Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breaker without Integral Overcurrent protection
(RCCB) Type A according to BS EN (IEC) 61008 or a Type F according to BS EN (IEC)
62423 with a residual operating current rating not exceeding 30 mA; or
Switching
b) Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breaker with device
Integral Overcurrent protection
e.g. RCBO, RCCB or MCB
(RCBO) Type A according to BS EN (IEC) 61009 or a Type
or remotely F according to BS EN (IEC)
operated
62423 with a residual operating current rating
switche.g. contactor 30 mA; or
not exceeding
or relay
c) Miniature Circuit-Breaker (MCB) according to BS EN (IEC) 60898-1.
For AC and pulsating DC protection, this RDC-MD shall be used in series with a Type A RCD
according to BS EN (IEC) 61008 or BS EN (IEC) 61009 or a Type F RCD according to BS EN (IEC)
62423 with a residual operating current rating not exceeding 30 mA.

RDC-M-unit

Current
RCBO, RCCB or MCB
6 mA DC Transformer (CT) circuit breaker

Figure 3: RDC-MD consisting of RDC-M-unit mechanically coupled to a separate protective device

09 BEAMA GUIDE RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD) PROTECTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING INSTALLATIONS
3.1.3 RDC-MD consisting of RDC-M-module electrically coupled to a separate
protective or switching device
RDC-M-module capable of 6 mA DC residual current detection and evaluation, electrically
coupled to a separate protective or switching device. The switching device may be an RCD
or a circuit breaker or a remotely operated switching device (e.g., contactor or relay) and
may be actuated by using under-voltage or shunt trip operation:
a) RCCB Type A according to BS EN (IEC) 61008 or a Type F according to
BS EN (IEC) 62423 with a residual operating current rating not exceeding 30 mA; or
b) RCBO Type A according to BS EN (IEC) 61009 or a Type F according to
BS EN (IEC) 62423 with a residual operating current rating not exceeding 30 mA; or
c) MCB according to BS EN (IEC) 60898-1; or
d) A remotely operated switch e.g., contactor or relay.
For AC and pulsating DC protection, this RDC-MD shall be used in series with a Type A RCD
according to BS EN (IEC) 61008 or BS EN (IEC) 61009 or a Type F RCD according to BS EN (IEC)
62423 with a residual operating current rating not exceeding 30 mA.

RDC-M-module

Current
6 mA DC
Transformer (CT)

Switching device
e.g. RCBO, RCCB or MCB
or remotely operated
switche.g. contactor
or relay

Figure 4: RDC-MD consisting of an RDC-M-module electrically coupled to a separate protective

or switching device

RDC-M-unit

Current
RCBO, RCCB or MCB
6 mA DC Transformer (CT) circuit breaker
BEAMA GUIDE RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD) PROTECTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING INSTALLATIONS 10
 6 mA DC
Current
3.2 RDC-PDs Transformer (CT)

RDC-PDs have integrated AC, pulsating DC and 6 mA DC detection, evaluation and

mechanical switching in one unit. RDC-PDs are suitable for isolation.
RDC-PDs perform the function of > 6 mA DC fault current detection, plus 30 mA Type A
RCD functionality.
In addition to the specific requirements of BS IEC 62955, the RDC-PD must conform to
all the requirements and tests of the following product standards:

• RDC-PD integrated with an RCCB – BS EN (IEC) 61008-1

• RDC-PD integrated with an RCBO – BS EN (IEC) 61009-1

RDC-M

6 mA DC, AC &
pulsating DC Current 6 mA D
Transformer (CT)

Figure 5: RDC-PD with integrated AC, pulsating DC and 6 mA DC detection, evaluation and mechanical
switching in one unit

11 BEAMA GUIDE RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD) PROTECTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING INSTALLATIONS
4. RDC-DD testing

RDC-DDs are provided with a manual or an automatically initiated test function, or both,
that checks the residual DC detection circuit.
In the event of a manual test, the RDC-DD shall trip.
Where provided, the automatic test function shall be performed at every switch on and
at intervals not exceeding at least once a day. During automatic testing, it is not required
that the contacts open.
In the event that a malfunction is detected during automatic testing, the RDC-DD shall
cause disconnection of the supply to the EV.
Further installation testing of RDC-DDs is not required.

BEAMA GUIDE RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD) PROTECTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING INSTALLATIONS 12
 5. RCD protection for Electric Vehicle
wireless power transfer

RCD protection for EV wireless power transfer is covered by BS EN IEC 61980-1, where
the following requirements are specified:
A permanently connected supply device shall provide one or more of the following
measures for each connecting point:

• An RCD Type B, and the installation instructions shall indicate that the supply
network shall provide either no RCD or an RCD Type B; or
• An RCD Type A and a measure that limits the resulting DC component of the
current in the protective earthing conductor to 6 mA in normal operation and
under first fault conditions, and the installation instructions shall indicate that
no RCD is required in the supply network; or
• for supply equipment with a single connecting point, a measure that limits the
resulting DC component of the current in the protective earthing conductor to
6 mA in normal operation and under first fault conditions, and the installation
instructions shall indicate that the supply network shall provide an RCD Type A; or
• None, if the supply device provides a single connecting point and the installation
instructions indicate that the supply network shall provide an RCD Type B or
an RCD Type A and a measure that limits the resulting DC component of the
current in the protective earthing conductor to 6 mA in normal operation and
under first fault conditions.
A plug and cable connected supply device shall include an RCD Type A and a measure
that limits the resulting DC component of the current in the protective earthing
conductor to 6 mA in normal operation and under first fault conditions.
The measure that limits the resulting DC component of the current in the protective
earthing conductor to 6 mA includes, but is not limited to, the appropriate equipment
that disconnects the supply in case of DC fault current above 6 mA.
RCDs shall comply with BS EN (IEC) 60947-2, BS EN (IEC) 61008-1, BS EN (IEC) 61009-1
or BS EN (IEC) 62423.
RCDs shall be used in conjunction with an over-current protection device.
RCDs and other devices providing personnel protection against electric shock shall not
automatically reset.

13 BEAMA GUIDE RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD) PROTECTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING INSTALLATIONS
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